St. Tammany officials came together yesterday to discuss what they are calling an enhanced proposal from a casino company to move its gambling license to Slidell.
Officials say they have executed a contract with Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, which now says it will spend as much as $325 million, compared to an earlier estimate of around $250 million, on a proposed casino entertainment complex near Slidell. They said the new plan would include a convention space, outdoor amphitheater, lazy river and upgrades to an adjacent marina.
This announcement is happening just before a parish council vote which could clear the way for a fall referendum on the St. Tammany casino. Parish officials say the new agreement Peninsula Pacific has signed would send more money to parish coffers than any other gaming company in the state.
The company has also agreed to spend $35 million to build a new sports complex in Slidell, which was touted by local state Senator Sharon Hewitt.
The parish council has already voted once on this project and now that the legislature has approved the concept. The council will vote again on June 30 to determine whether the issue will be placed on the November ballot. The state gaming control board must also approve the move.
